Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 85

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 85

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Bates, Lot Besse, wholesale grocer, is the son of Thomas B. and Sarah D. (Besse) Bates, and a grandson of Barnabus Bates and Lot Besse, and was born in Fairhaven, Mass., December 22, 1841. His father died in 1863 and his mother in 1891. Mr. Bates was educated in the Fairhaven public schools and when fourteen became a newsboy on the railroad, running between Fairhaven and Middleboro. Afterward he entered the fruit store of James B. Watkins in New Bedford as a clerk and re- mained five years, receiving at the start but $6 per month and board. When twenty- one he became a clerk in the grocery store of John Wing of New Bedford, and three years later he accepted a similar position with William B. Dwight, with whom he continued two years. About 1867 he purchased the grocery store of Francis H. Pasell in the same city, which he conducted eight years, when he sold out and en- gaged in the porgie oil business as part owner and agent and treasurer of the St. George Oil and Guano Company of St. George, Me. In 1880 he established a grocery store on the corner of Acushnet avenue and Middle street, which he still continues, having added a wholesale department in 1894. Mr. Bates began active life a poor boy, but by industry, economy, and strict attention to business has accumulated a comfortable property. He is a director of the Union Street Railway Company, the C

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and the New Bedford and Acush- net Co-operative Banks, and has been treasurer of the Fourth Street M. E. Church since 1887. He served in the City Council one year, and is a member of Star in the East Lodge, F. & A. M., of Adoniram Chapter, R.A. M., and of Sutton Command- ery, K. T. January 8, 1863, he married Emma A. Anderson of New Bedford, who died in 1871, leaving two children: Walter Norton and Emma Kelley. In 1872 Mr. Bates married Mary Phinney Simmons, daughter of William L. Simmons of Tiver- ton R. I., and they have five children living: Mary Simmons, Lot B., jr., Sarah Delano, Clarence Augustus and Mildred.

Battelle, Willard, was born in Dover, Mass., January 2, 1822, a son of Ralph and Patty (Allen) Battelle, and educated in the public schools. In 1841 he started to learn the carpenter's trade, but finding that was not suited to his health he engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds in Medfield; this he finally closed out on ac- count of ill health and opened a general store in Canton, Mass. In 1859 he came to Taunton and started a flour, grain and grocery store, which he closed out at the commencement of the Civil war. He has remained in Taunton ever since and for twenty-five years or more has been handling an extensive line of periodicals. Janu- ary 23, 1847, he married Lavina Lovell of Millis, Mass .; they have no children.

Bauldry, Lyman C., was born in the village of Bourne on Cape Cod, April 2, 1872, a son of Capt. George F. and Nancy (Eldridge) Bauldry. His father was a native of Yarmouth, England, but came to New Bedford in a merchantman when a boy of eleven years and later settled in Bourne, He followed the sea all his life and event- ually became master of a whaling vessel. Lyman C. Bauldry attended the schools of his native town and soon after completing his education formed a copartnership with his brother to conduct a livery business in Fairhaven. He continued in this business four years and then entered the shipping department of the Pairpoint Man- ufacturing Company. After a service of three years he was appointed to his present position as foreman of the tube and cone department of the New Bedford Paper Company. In 1892 he married Julia E., daughter of Martin V. Cahoon of New Bed- ford, and they have one son, Carleton E.

Baylies, John B., son of John and Mary (Shaw) Baylies, was born in Taunton, August 31, 1822. His father was a prominent figure in Whig politics and afterward a Democrat, and for over thirty years was a deputy sheriff of Bristol county. He also was in charge of the House of Correction for ten years and for several years was a county commissioner. He served on the Board of Selectmen of the town of New Bedford for a considerable period, and died in New Bedford at the age of sixty- seven years, honored and respected by all who had known him. John B. Baylies attended the academy at Taunton and when twelve years old came with the family to New Bedford, where he also attended school. For some time he was engaged in whaling and later went into the employ of George M. Eddy as a clerk. He after- wards formed a partnership with Mr. Eddy and later with Job A. T. Eddy, under the firm name of Eddy & Baylies, conducting a dry goods store on Union street for over thirteen years. At the end of this time he again became associated with George M. Eddy, under the name of George M. Eddy & Co., and conducted a dry goods business for four years under that name. He then established his auction and sec-

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

ond hand business on Union street and has continued successfully for over thirty- seven years. Mr. Baylies is now one of the oldest active business men in New Bed- ford. Like his father he has been interested in politics, but has never held public office, with the exception of four years as alderman from the Fifth ward. In 1847 he married Mary C., daughter of Abram Eddy of New Bedford, and they had three sons: Clifford, John and Arthur.

Baylies, William, is the second son of John and Mary (Shaw) Baylies, and was born in Taunton, Mass., January 22, 1825. John Baylies was born in Dighton, Bris- tol county, in 1796, became an auctioneer and merchant in Taunton, and in 1833 re- moved to New Bedford, where he was keeper of the jail and House of Correction for ten years. He subsequently was engaged in business as an auctioneer and mer- chant in the latter city until his death in 1863. He served as a county commissioner about ten years, was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and was active in the old State militia, being popularly known as colonel. His wife died in 1880. Their children were Charlotte (Mrs. Charles F. Congdon), deceased; John B. and William, of New Bedford; Ellen (Mrs. Benjamim F. Almy), of Johnson, R. I .; and Mary, Marion and Isabelle, all deceased. William Baylies came with the family to New Bedford in 1833 and finished his education in the private schools and Friends Academy. In 1845 he became a clerk for Alexander H. Seabury & Co., who had established a large flour, grain and provision business in the present stone building on Front street, foot of Union, in 1833. In 1859 Mr. Seabury retired from the active management and Mr. Baylies, Albert G. Cory and Nathaniel S. Cannon formed the firm of Baylies & Cannon. . Mr. Cory died in 1861, Mr. Cannon in 1876, and Mr. Sea- bury in 1887. The firm name remained unchanged until 1887, since which time Mr. Baylies and two sons, Charles S. and Robert L., have continued the business alone. The original business of the house was to supply whale ships with provisions, but since the decline of that industry a large general wholesale trade in flour, grain, groceries, etc., has been built up. Mr. Baylies is also heavily interested in whaling ships. He is a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank and a director of the First National Bank and the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, and for several years was a member of the New Bedford City Guards. In 1859 he married Emily F. Lea- man of Nantucket, Mass., and they have had five children: William, jr., an artist of New Bedford; Charles S. and Robert L., who are associated with their father in business; Theodore, a member of the staff of the New Bedford Mercury; and Frank, who died in 1886, aged fourteen.

Beauvais, Joseph Arthur, president of the Citizens' National Bank of New Bed- ford, is the son of Andrew and Patience (Ricketson) Beauvais, and was born Jan- uary 21, 1824, in South Dartmouth, Mass. His maternal grandparents were Clark and Mary (Wood) Ricketson, of that town. Andrew Beauvais, a native of Bordeaux, France, was sent when quite young by his widowed mother to this country, whither his sister, wife of Capt. James Rider, of Dartmouth, had preceded him. This move was to avoid conscription into Napoleon's army, which was then taking boys of twelve years of age to fight in the French army. He was long a commander of packet ships between New York and New Orleans, and later in the South American trade, chiefly with Buenos Ayres. Captain Rider was also a successful ship master, sailing from New York in the New Orleans and European trade. Shortly after 1824

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

the two families removed to New York and later to Astoria, Long Island, where Mrs. Andrew Beauvais died. In 1832 Captain Rider retired from his sea-faring life, and the families returned to South Dartmouth, where the former engaged in the whaling business, which he subsequently followed in New Bedford, where his death occurred. After the death of his mother, Joseph Arthur Beauvais became an inmate of Captain Rider's family, and attended the public and private schools of Dartmouth. He came to New Bedford in 1840, attended the Bush Street Grammar School for a time, was graduated from the High School in 1842, and then entered the counting room of his uncle, Barton Ricketson, managing owner of whaling and merchant vessels and of the New Bedford Iron Foundry. He was his uncle's bookkeeper and confidential clerk from 1843 to November, 1851, when he accepted a similar position with J. B. Wood & Co., who were largely engaged in the whaling industry. He became an owner in their ships, did some business as a broker, and at times was managing owner of several merchant and coasting vessels. In 1860 he was elected treasurer of the New Bedford Tannery Company. He was chosen treasurer of the American Tack Company of Fairhaven in 1867, and for several years has also been its presi- dent. In February, 1872, he left the employ of J. B. Wood & Co. and with T. B. Fuller, organized the private bank of Beauvais & Co., which was transferred to the Citizens' National Bank in May, 1875. Mr. Beauvais was one of the principal found- ers of this institution and has continuously served it as president. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the Fall River Railroad Company, which built the railroad between New Bedford and Fall River and opened it for travel in December, 1875. He resigned as president in 1877, but has since continued as a director. He was an incorporator of the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank, of which he has long been a trustee, and in 1878 was an organizer of the New England Mutual Aid Society, which he served as president until the office was removed to Boston. He has served as president of the New Bedford Real Estate Association and the Weeden Manufacturing Company; as director of the Bennett Manufacturing Company, the Union Street Railway Company, and the Grinnell Manufacturing Company, all of New Bedford, and the Fall River Bleachery, the Sagamore Man- ufacturing Company, the Border City Manufacturing Company, the Globe Street Railway Company, the King Philip Mills, and the Globe Yarn Mills, all of Fall River, and the Taunton Manufacturing Company. In some of these corporations he has declined re-election owing to his desire to decrease his business cares. He was originally a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He was for some time the clerk, and for eight years the Sunday school superintend- ent of the Trinitarian Church, and for many years has been a leading member of the North Congregational Church. In May, 1848, he married Hannah Cotton Parker, daughter of Ward M. and Hepzabeth (Davis) Parker, who died in January, 1879. Their only child, Louise Cecile, married Max Ritter Von Schmaedel, artist of Munich, and died leaving a son, Harold Parker Von Schmaedel. Mr. Beauvais married, second, in June, 1881, Mary Stetson Mendell, daughter of Ellis and Cath- erine (Allen) Mendell, of New Bedford.

Beetle, John H., son of James and Ann Amelia (Hathaway) Beetle, was born in New Bedford, August 29, 1855. His father, who died in New Bedford on March 28, 1886, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was a well known and highly respected

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

citizen. Although a native of New Bedford, he spent his boyhood on Martha's Vine- yard, but during the balance of his life lived in New Bedford. He early learned the boat building trade and followed it for many years, gaining a high reputation for his product. He was also engaged for some years in business as a ship agent, and served as alderman under Mayor French. He was a quiet man, possessing a dis- like for display, but withal, of shrewd ability and foresight, John H. Beetle was educated in the New Bedford schools, and was graduated from the High School with the class of 1873. He early began to learn the boat building trade under his father, and in 1881 engaged in business as a boat builder on his own account. After his father's death he continued the latter's well established business in company with his brothers, James C. and Charles D. The former retired at the end of the first year, and he continued his association with the latter until 1891, when he withdrew from the business. In 1883 Mr. Beetle had commenced to survey lumber and continued this business, while carrying on his boat building interests, and in 1883 was made lumber surveyor for the city, which position he still holds. He has been engaged, to a considerable extent, by the firm of Greene & Wood. He married in 1882, Lot- tie, daughter of Artson K. Dennison of New Bedford, and they have four children : Ruth D., Ralph D., Clara and Carl N.

Bennett, John E., one of Dartmouth's representative and most respected citizens, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., December 28, 1851. His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of twenty-one he began farming on his own account. March 6, 1873, he married Rebecca, daughter of Charles and Rhoby (Allen) Slocum of Dartmouth, and they have one daughter, Alice May. Mr. Bennett is a young man, but enjoys universal respect and esteem in the community.

Bennett, Robert Gilbert, undertaker and embalmer, is the son of Robert Bennett and Wealthy Jenney, his wife, and a grandson of Gilbert Bennett of Rochester, and was born at Marion, Mass., August 19, 1840. In 1849 he came with the family to New Bedford, where the father died October 4. 1878, aged seventy-eight, and the mother on April 21, 1891, at the age of eighty-nine years and nine months. He was educated in the New Bedford public schools and at Taylor's Commercial Institute, after which he was successively a clerk in the dry goods stores of Job A. T. Eddy, Benjamin H. Waite, and Edward Haskell. In 1867 he engaged in the dry goods business for himself, which he continned until 1882, when he changed to the fnrni- ture trade. In 1892 he retired from the furniture business, and since then he has followed the profession of undertaker and funeral director, having a first-class estab- lishment at 356 Acushnet avenue. Mr. Bennett belongs to the Knights of Honor, and is an official member of the County Street M. E. Church. June 5, 1864, he mar- ried Mary E., daughter of Peleg and Eliza (Brightman) Gifford, of New Bedford, and they have one daughter, Lillias M. A son, Albert C., died September, 1869.

Bennett, Thomas, jr., who was called the " father of the textile industry in New Bedford," died at the old colonial mansion on County street, where he had resided thirty four years, April 17, 1898, in the seventy eighth year of his age. Thomas Bennett, jr., was born in New Bedford, August 16, 1820, in the old Humphrey How- land home on Union street. He was a son of Capt. Thomas Bennett and of Nancy Howland, a daughter of Humphrey Howland. Of the five children born to them

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

only two lived to maturity, Robert Bennett of Fairhaven and Thomas Bennett, jr. Capt. Thomas Bennett sailed in the service of the Liverpool line of packets and was captain of the packet ship New York for many years. He spent the latter years of his life at the old homestead in Fairhaven, which has been in the possession of the fam- ily over two hundred years. Thomas Bennett, jr., was educated at the Friends' Academy in New Bedford, and after leaving school entered the counting room of Elisha Dumbar. After Mr. Dunbar's death he filled for seven years a similar posi- tion with Edward C. Jones; at the end of this period he went south to Upson county, Georgia, where he received his training in the cotton manufacturing busi- ness. Being in a cotton growing country he also had abundant opportunity to study the growth of the cotton plant. After three years he returned to New Bedford with the idea of interesting northern capital in starting a cotton mill in the South, but Mr. Joseph Grinnell, and others whom he consulted, preferred that the mill should be built in New Bedford. This led to the incorporation of the Wamsutta Mills in 1847, Mr. Bennett being made agent and superintendent. He continued in these positions until 1874, when, having gained a competence, he retired from the cares of active business. He was one of the first board of directors of the Fall River Bleach- ery and for some time a member of the New Bedford water board. No man stood higher in the estimation of his friends and business associates than he; sterling integrity, progressive ability, and the power of application were attributes of which he more than once proved himself to be possessed. In 1854 he married Sibyl T., daughter of Richard Williams, of New Bedford, and they had two children: Clara Bennett and Williams Bennett, who died in 1875.

Bennett, William James, cashier at Fall River of the N. Y., N. H. & Hartford Railroad Co., a son of James W. and Nancy C. (Hathaway) Bennett, was born in Fall River, July 31, 1865. His ancestors for several generations have resided in Bristol county. After completing his education in the public schools of Fall River he was employed by Mckenzie & Winslow, grain dealers, and next filled a position in the office of the South Massachusetts Telephone Company. He passed two years in a grocery store, and in 1888 entered the employ of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company as clerk, and in 1892 was promoted to the position of cashier of the freight depot in Fall River. August 26, 1890, Mr. Bennett married Susan H. Lewis, daughter of John A. and Nancy T. (Hathaway) Lewis, of Dighton, Mass. ; they have two sons, Everett Hathaway and William Lewis.

Bentley, Samuel E., son of Erastus and Jane (Griffin) Bentley, was born in Jericho, Chittenden county, Vt., December 22, 1844. His father was a prosperous farmer and during his boyhood he assisted in the farm work and attended the neighboring schools, acquiring a good education. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Co. K, 5th Vermont Volunteers, and served three years and seven months, participating in most of the "Peninsular Campaign." He was captured May 14, 1864, at Spotsyl- vania, and confined in Andersonville prison eight months, and on March 31, 1865, he was honorably discharged and returned to his home. In the spring of the following year he went to Holyoke, Mass., and entered the carding room of the Lyman Mills. Three years later he sought to better his position by removing to Williamstown, where he became a second hand in the plant of the Williamstown Manufacturing Co., and in 1871 he entered the employ of the Renfrew Manufacturing Co., at Adams,

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Mass., as a second hand, and was promoted to the position of overseer of carding, remaining in that capacity until 1878, when he came to New Bedford. For a short time he was employed as a second hand at the Wamsutta Mills and was then ten- dered a position in the Potomska Mills, as overseer of carding, which he accepted and filled five years. At the end of that period he became superintendent of the plant, and he filled this responsible position very acceptably for eleven years, retir- ing in 1895. He has served as alderman three times, 1895-96-98, and in 1897 was a candidate for mayor. He is a member of Williams Lodge of Masons of Williams- town, Mass., and of R. A. Pierce Post No. 190, G. A. R.

Berard, Norbert P., son of Herbert and Cloffe Berard, both natives of Quebec, was born at St. Hugues, Quebec, June 2, 1860, and came to the United States in 1871. He has been a resident of Fall River since 1879. He worked in mills in Woonsocket and Fall River for several years, and in 1882 engaged in the furniture business, which he still conducts successfully. Mr. Berard is a member of several social orders, among them the Ligue de Patriote, the Knights of Pythias, and St. John the Baptist. He is also a member of the Fall River Agricultural Society, and has been its president. He is a stockholder and vice-president of the Lafayette Bank. Mr. Berard married Delia Lamaeroux, and they have eight children, five sons and three daughters: Lydia Z., Florida, Norbert H., Alphonse A., Hector, Edith, Edward and George.

Billings, William Richardson, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 23, 1853. His early education was received in the public schools of Brooklyn, at Allen Brothers' school, Newton, Mass., and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1871. He then came to Taunton with the Mason Machine Company, where he spent five years in mastering the machinist's trade, and after that, for about two years, was an assistant teacher in the Bristol Academy. In 1879 Mr. Billings was appointed clerk and superintendent of the Taunton Water Works, which position he held nine consecutive years. After a short engagement with the Chapman Valve Company as traveling salesman, he was chosen treasurer of the Taunton Locomotive Manufacturing Company, which position he still holds. In October, 1881, Mr. Billings married Nancy Hull Goldsbury, youngest daughter of Dr. Ira and Martha E. Simpson, and they have one daughter, Grace Sampson Bill- ings.

Blackway, Charles William, machinist, a member of the firm of Fyans, Fraser & Blackway, was born in Swansea village, Mass., May 8, 1853. His father was a na- tive of Philadelphia, Pa., and early in life moved to Swansea where he followed the trade of a shoemaker; he married Abbie Ann Lewis, whose ancestors for several generations were residents of Massachusetts. When Mr. Blackway was twelve years old his parents came to Fall River. He attended the public schools and at an early age left school to work in Dr. Nathan Durfee's cotton mill in the carding de- partment. He remained there two years and then secured like employment for one year in the American Linen Mill. He worked for a short time afterward in the Me- chanics' Mill and in 1871 decided to learn the trade of a machinist, spending three years as an apprentice in the Mason Machine Works at Taunton and continuing there six years longer as a journeyman. In 1880 he accepted a position in the em- ploy of the Fall River Machinc Company and continued there until 1893 when lie

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

became a member of, and helped to organize the firm of Fyans, Fraser & Blackway. This enterprising firm is engaged in repairing all kinds of machinery, engines, etc., and in mill work; they also build special varieties of machinery, and are constantly increasing their business and extending and enlarging their facilities for work. Mr. Blackway is a member of various fraternal orders, including the Masonic, Odd Fel- lows and Knights of Pythias. November 24, 1891, he married Anna Maria, daughter of the late Capt. John and Harriet (Lewin) Carr. They have one son, Charles Everett. Mrs. Blackway's father followed the whaling business for many years, being a resident of Fall River.

Blackinton, L. A., was born in Attleborough, August 24, 1856. His father, Will- iam Blackinton, was also a native of the same town, where the family were among the pioneer settlers. William Blackinton married Rebecca, daughter of Josiah Allen. He was a large thread manufacturer, and during the panic of 1856 went out of business. In 1858 he associated himself with J. M. Bates, manufacturing brace- lets, which he continued but a short time. In 1869 he began the manufacture of chains, under the name of Blackinton & Sweet, which in 1870 merged into the firm of W. S. Blackinton, and at the present time is among the largest manufacturers of chains in the United States. L. A. Blackinton was educated in Attleborough and the business college at Providence. He traveled as the firm's representative for some years, and in 1880 became one of the members. In 1889 Mr. Blackinton mar- ried Lorena Pray, and they have one daughter, Gladys A. He is a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. of Boston, and other clubs and societies.

Blain, Charles Hodge, manager of Cobb, Bates & Yerxa's business in Taunton, was born in Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y., March 7, 1857. He was educated in Amsterdam (N. Y.) Academy and Schenectady Union College. After leaving col- lege he went to Boston and engaged with Fuller & Bartlett as clerk in the grocery business, remaining with them about four years. In March, 1882, he came to Taun- ton and assumed control of the C. B. & Y. store, which at that time had been started about two months. It is now the headquarters in the city for staple and fancy groceries, and one of the best in the country. In October, 1885, Mr. Blain married Emma J. Burt, and they have three children: Josephine Burt. Margaret Graham, and Graham Burt.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 85

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1399

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399